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What is a general surgeon and how to become one
General surgeons perform different procedures throughout their careers. Unlike specialists, they are available for procedures involving most systems and organs, from the kidneys to the colon. A surgeon's job is demanding, and they may have to spend long hours in the operating room. While on call, surgeons also have to be available at any time - day or night.
General surgeons can work in government hospitals, public hospitals, or private centers. They lead the operating team and ensure that procedures are successful. General surgeons are responsible for assessing patients, diagnosing conditions, and recommending the best course of action. During their career, general surgeons can branch out to specialties like pediatric and plastic surgery.
To become a general surgeon, you'll need four years of college, four years of medical school, and a minimum of five years of residency. You'll also require a license to practice in your state.
Avg. Salary $223,321
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 7%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.14%
Asian 12.67%
Black or African American 1.81%
Hispanic or Latino 5.01%
Unknown 3.76%
White 76.60%
Genderfemale 46.13%
male 53.87%
Age - 47American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 47Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
General Surgeon career paths
Key steps to become a general surgeon
Explore general surgeon education requirements
Start to develop specific general surgeon skills
Skills 
Percentages Patients 34.15% EMR 13.67% Medical Education 8.73% Patient Care 8.40% Endoscopy 6.25% Research general surgeon duties and responsibilities
- Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
- Provide preoperative diagnosis of patients, perform the necessary emergency or elective surgery, and provide postoperative surgical care and treatment.
- Provide patient ancillary testing such as EKG, NDX and NCV.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
Prepare your general surgeon resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your general surgeon resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a general surgeon resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable General Surgeon Resume templates
Build a professional General Surgeon resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your General Surgeon resume.
Apply for general surgeon jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a general surgeon job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First General Surgeon Job
Are you a General Surgeon?
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Average general surgeon salary
The average General Surgeon salary in the United States is $223,321 per year or $107 per hour. General surgeon salaries range between $121,000 and $411,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do general surgeons rate their job?
Updated January 8, 2025
